ROCKFORD — To ensure an adequate summer blood supply, Rock River Valley Blood Center is asking healthy individuals to donate blood leading up to the July 4th holiday. Both Whole Blood and Platelet Donors are Needed. All blood types are needed.
“The Fourth of July is always a challenge. We will be closed on the holiday and many of our donors are traveling or busy spending long weekends with family and friends. Our hospitals and trauma centers often have increased traffic and patient blood use during the summer. The blood must be ready to go when the calls come in, but we can’t do it without blood donors,” said Jennifer Bowman, PR/Marketing Manager.  

Donating blood is safe and simple.  You are most likely able to donate if you are at least 17 years old (16 year olds may donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health.  Persons taking medications are not necessarily disqualified.
 There are four community donor centers throughout the area (Belvidere, Freeport, Rockford) as well as many mobile blood drives. Log on to www.rrvbc.org for hours, directions and mobile blood drive schedules.
The Rock River Valley Blood Center serves as a centralized, community blood center and is the sole provider of blood products and services to Beloit Memorial Hospital, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN, Mercyhealth Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rochelle Community Hospital, SwedishAmerican Health System and SwedishAmerican Medical Center—Belvidere. For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, please call toll free 877-RRVBC-99 or find RRVBC on the web at www.rrvbc.org.
https://rrvbc.org/blood-donors-needed-july-4th-holiday/